AT 16:00hrs today NACRA 15s Champions, the Green Machine will make the first defence of their title against Barbados in the National Park.With three games between them – a victory per country and a draw – the winner of today’s clash will have not only bragging rights but the momentum going into the next leg of the qualifier.

The Barbadian outfit arrived at the Ogle International Airport on Friday – 24 in number – full of confidence and expecting a fight.
“Guyana obviously coming back from winning the championships, they won’t want to give it up easily so we’re expecting a big fight,” said coach Kenneth Payne.
He refused to accept the tag that they’re the underdogs going into the game.

“That’s a tough word. It’s an even match, we’ve won one, Guyana have won one and we drew one.”
Payne has been at the helm of the Barbadian senior team for the past five years. He said there are no injury concerns and they are looking to ‘bed’ a few Under-19 players into the senior team.
There is one overseas-based player – a Canadian – in the line-up for today. He’ll stick out like a sore thumb on the field, pun intended.
The playing formation will depend on what the Guyanese unit throw at them when the whistle sounds.
Stephen Miller is the captain for the visitors. He too believes today’s contest is evenly matched and he’s looking to upset the Guyanese at home. Tough task!
“Depending on the weather, it could be a fast game, could be a slow game, all depends on what comes out.
“We’re always looking to go in for the win. We’re always looking for the best result. However that might come we’ll take it,” said the 6-footer.
He said there is no pressure on his team going into today’s game.
National Sports Commission’s Coach-of-2014 Theodore Henry said his charges are in good spirits, are relaxed and waiting to showcase their skills. The guys are upbeat.
“They’ve been in training since January. There are some new additions to the squad, and there will be with one notable absentee when they take the field – NO PATRICK KING!
“Patrick is not playing today. It’s a tactical decision. We’re saving him for the Trinidad leg of the Qualifiers on April 11.”
Henry continued, “We’re not expecting them (Barbados) to go easy, but we’re focusing on ourselves and playing the best game we can on the day.”
Guyana’s final team will be announced just before the match.
The 27-man squad previously announced comprises: Cyon Kitt, Ryan Gonsalves, Claudius Butts, Joseph Rahaman, Avery Corbin, Allain Crawford, Kevon David, Rickford Cummings, Rondell McArthur, Theodore Henry, Richard Staglon, Jason Tyrell, Phabion Joseph, Godfrey Broomes, Dwayne Schroeder, Peabo Hamilton, Jose Felicien, Lancelot Adonis, Leon Greaves, Jamal Angus, Jermaine Prowell, Grantley Williams, Akeem Fraser, Troy Bascom, Blaise Bailey, Ronald Mayers and Delroy Gordon.
The Barbadian outfit: Neil Forde, Jerrin Clarke, Romeo Mayers, Rajk Edwards, Anthony Faggiani, Jamal Gonsalves, Jermaine Bynoe, Stephen Millar, Mikyle Walcott, Bryan Cummings, Kenneth Payne, Troy Grant, RaminDownes, Kevin Cobham, Tahaire Neils, Shane Taylor, Daniel Ramsey, Kevin Murrell, Kevin Carter, LA-Andro Jordan, Nico Blunt, Greg Moseley, Caston Howard and Enrique Oxley.
Barbados first defeated Guyana 27-17 in 2005. Six years later Guyana exacted revenge in June 2011 with a 20-7 beating of the boys from the Land of the Flying Fish. In 2012 when they last met the game ended 10-all.
Statistics show that Guyana have scored 47 points against the Bajans, with the visitors putting three fewer on the board.

(By Leeron Brumell)